Recommendations for Planting and Use of Miscanthus

Recommendations for Nursery Professionals

• DO NOT SELL the species or wild type Miscanthus sinensis
• SELL ONLY VEGETATIVE, PROPAGATED, AND NAMED CULTIVARS of Miscanthus
• DO NOT PROPAGATE MISCANTHUS from seed
• Read the Code of Conduct for Nursery Professionals from the Invasive.org
• Recognize the importance of invasive plants to the landscape and that your business is involved in this issue
• Businesses in the Middle Atlantic states should consider signage explaining self-seeding and follow state recommendations and guidelines for sale of Miscanthus
• Establish contact and dialogue with public agencies concerning invasive plants
• Realize the gardening public looks to you for advice and recommendations regarding the best plants to grow
• Recommend alternative native grasses such as Indian grass, Sorghastrum nutans, or switchgrass, Panicum virgatum

Recommendations for the Gardening Public

• Purchase only named Miscanthus cultivars
• DO NOT PURCHASE the species or wild type
• Identify any Miscanthus on your property
• Carefully watch all plantings for signs of self-seeding
• Consider elimination of any large stands or fields of the wild type of Miscanthus that are on your property
• Consider planting native grasses, such as Indian grass, Sorghastrum nutans, or switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, especially near natural areas
• Read the Code of Conduct for the Gardening Public
• Realize that your property is part of an ecosystem and that it has an affect on the environment

Recommendations for Landscape Architects and Designers

• DO NOT RECOMMEND OR SPECIFY the species or wild type Miscanthus sinensis in any design or plan
• Recommend Miscanthus cultivars ONLY where they can be watched and managed for control of seedlings. Large mass plantings are discouraged, especially along highways where seed can easily spread and intense management is not possible.
• Read and practice the Code of Conduct for Landscape Architects, endorsed by the American Society of Landscape Architects
• Consider planting native grasses, such as Indian grass, Sorghastrum nutans, or switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, especially near natural areas

Recommendations for the Botanic Gardens and Arboreta

• If you are currently growing cultivars of Miscanthus sinensis, consider signage that will educate the public about possible self-seeding
• Watch for and remove any seedlings from your garden
• Do not collect, distribute, or propagate Miscanthus from seed
• New or existing plantings of individual (one) cultivars in a managed garden setting are probably a low risk, but should still be watched for self-seeding
• Read the Codes of Conduct for Botanical Gardens and Arboreta on the American Public Gardens Association website.

Miscanthus Planting Recommendation Chart